How to Clean Glass and Mirrors

We’ve all been there, spraying and wiping our glass and mirrored surfaces only for them to look as dirty as they were before you started. Using our recommended process this task can become easier for you leaving your surfaces sparkling clean.

Equipment & Preparation

To start, you will need to make sure you are wearing the correct PPE, plus any additional PPE specific to the cleaning solution. Safety signs are required to reduce significant risk while cleaning the glass and mirrored surfaces.

For this task, you will be using either a cloth or squeegee, which will mean you will need a bucket to rinse off any excess water. A sponge can come in useful for gently washing the surfaces and getting into corners to remove any trapped dirt. A towel is sometimes placed on a window ledge or under the surface to soak the excess cleaning solution.

Another piece of equipment you will need is a telescopic pole which can be attached to a squeegee that can expand the user’s reach, making it possible to clean glass and mirrors without using a ladder. Using a soft-bristled brush will ensure that you can gently scrub anything on your glass and mirrors, leaving behind a clean surface.

Neutral Detergent is another piece of equipment you will need, this will remove dirt and contaminants that can harbour pathogens. As always, you must be adding neutral detergent to water, not the other way round. Glass and mirror cleaner will be used for the mirrors and any small sections that the brush may have missed. Clear the area for any moveable projects ready for cleaning.

Cleaning the Glass/Mirror

When cleaning very dirty glass/mirror, first soak the cloth you have into the cleaning solution and wring it out. Then clean the corners with the soft-bristled brush. Start to wipe the glass/mirror in a circular motion, this generates much fewer streaks than cleaning side to side.

With your squeegee wipe off any excess water that is still there. For the next part of your process, use your mirror cleaner, to clean the surface you are cleaning. Wipe straight away in a circular motion again with a clean, dry lint-free cloth, this can be useful as it is a special type of cloth that does not give up any fluff when applied.

For small areas spray onto cloth then continue wiping the surface. You should now see the surface starting to shine. Using a colour coded cloth wring out the cleaning solution into the bucket. Give the surfaces you have cleaned, one final once over and replace the items you moved at the start.

Final Stages

• Remove the dirty water from the bucket
• Clean and dry the bucket
• Dispose of the cloth you have been using
• Store the safety signs somewhere safe when the area is dry